ALASKA RURAL AVIATION IMPROVEMENT.

SEC. 166. ALASKA RURAL AVIATION IMPROVEMENT. (a) Application of FAA Regulations.—Section 40113 is amended by adding at the end the following: “(f) Application of Certain Regulations to Alaska.—In amending title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, in a manner affecting intrastate aviation in Alaska, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall consider the extent to which Alaska is not served by transportation modes other than aviation, and shall establish such regulatory distinctions as the Administrator considers appropriate.”. (b) Mike-in-Hand Weather Observation.—The Administrator and the Assistant Administrator of the National Weather Service, in consultation with the National Transportation Safety Board and the Governor of the State of Alaska, shall continue efforts to develop and implement a “mike-in-hand” weather observation program in Alaska under which Federal Aviation Administration employees, National Weather Service employees, other Federal or State employees sited at an airport, or persons contracted specifically for such purpose (including part-time contract employees who are not sited at such airport), will provide near-real time aviation weather information via radio and otherwise to pilots who request such information.